Culture

Charles Waterstreet Has Been Banned From A University Careers Site Amid Sexual Harassment Claims

Waterstreet was the inspiration for TV's 'Rake'.

by Matilda Dixon-Smith  27 October 2017
Charles Waterstreet

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Allegations of sexual harassment against Sydney barrister Charles Waterstreet have escalated throughout this week, following a story published in New Matilda detailing claims of harassment from university student Tina Huang.

Waterstreet, who is best known as the inspiration behind ABC TV’s Rake, has denied the claims, but Sydney University has now banned his Rake Chambers from the university’s careers hub.

Huang alleges Waterstreet harassed her during an interview for a job that was advertised on Sydney University’s career portal. The university has removed the ad and banned Rake Chambers from posting any further advertisements, citing that “the personal safety of our students is of primary concern”.

The ban came shortly after students had organised snap protests at the university against the institution’s attitude toward sexual harassment.

In an opinion piece published in New Matilda this week, Huang alleged that when she was 21 years old Waterstreet showed her a sexually explicit video on his phone during her job interview (for the position of paralegal and personal assistant). During the interview Huang alleges Waterstreet also mentioned how often he attends “sex parties”, and asked Huang if she likes “threesomes”.

Huang told the ABC she “felt quite sickened” by the encounter, but accepted the job because of Waterstreet’s reputation as a good barrister. Once she comprehended she was being sexually harassed, one day after starting her position at Rake Chambers, she quit. Huang explained in her New Matilda op-ed that she has “tried to speak to a bigger problem and to do the right thing” now, by coming forward about Waterstreet’s harassment.

“The power dynamic was so strong and so imbalanced,” Huang told the ABC. “He did such a good job of normalising his behaviour.” Huang signed a statutary declaration confirming her allegations on 23 October.

A portrait of Waterstreet painted by artist Jim van Geet and entered into the Archibald Prize.

Waterstreet has responded to the allegations, denying them in a comment piece published by The Sdney Morning Herald — who previously used to run a regular a column from Waterstreet. The statement begins like this:

I have more flaws than the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building in Dubai. One of them is to make a joke of everything if I can. As you can see, I must now reluctantly make a statement, as a ripple has become a tsunami, and it affects the wellbeing of not just myself but those who I serve: my family and my friends. It is time to “man up”, if that phrase does not offend the editor of the New Matilda, which is why I always prefer the Old Matilda, or even Waltzing Matilda for that matter.

It goes on much the same way, including a lengthy jab at New Matilda for funding their efforts using the GoFundMe crowdfunding website. “I am forced to defend myself now,” writes Waterstreet, “as only my staff and I are privy to the facts.”

Waterstreet alleges in his statement that his conversations with Huang, including his sharing of the explicit video as well as photos of naked women, were in service of a panel he had been asked to speak on, called Post Porn: Art, Feminism and Sex in the Age of the Internet, and his work at Penthouse, where he now writes a column. He also alleged that he cannot comment on the exact material he has shown Huang, because they are part of cases currently before the court.

He reflected that perhaps he shouldn’t have shown Huang the explicit material during her job interview, writing, “Miss Huang might have felt like a vegetarian turning up to work at an abattoir.”

He also addressed the allegations that he told Huang he only hires “pretty young things” and only requires “a photograph” for job interviews, instead of a CV, by citing his humour and calling the comments a “flippant throwaway line” and “obviously made in jest”.

The piece concludes, “If something good were to come of this, it was to have a frank discussion about the criminal law workplace: To reveal how the nature of the work impacts upon those who practise in the trenches, and those who may encounter it.” And, below this, bolded, “For the avoidance of all doubt: I do not condone sexual harassment in any form.”

The Bar Association cannot confirm whether a particular barrister is being investigated, but has said if they receive a complaint about Waterstreet on this issue, they are duty-bound to investigate it. The ABC reported that NSW Police is also investigating the allegations, but no formal charges have been laid.

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If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.

Men can access anonymous confidential telephone counselling to help to stop using violent and controlling behaviour through the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.